Fight fans were on edge last night as the stellar “New Blood” fight card unveiled itself in a blow-by-blow action packed extravaganza from beginning to end.
The scheduled four round junior welterweight bout showcasing Jhon Ortega and Hector Garza was the perfect opening performance when crowds witnessed the end of the fight as Ortega dropped Garza with a perfect body shot, followed up by a 1-2 combination down the middle. The stoppage occurred at 2:35 of round one. Ortega improves to 4-0-1, 4 KOs while Garza falls to 3-2, 2 KOs. The 2nd bout of the evening featured a six round bantamweight clash between Ontario’s own Jonathan Arellano 8-0-1, 1 KO and tough southpaw Shawn Nichol 5-4, 5 KOs. This fight saw consistent back and forth action between both warriors until Arellano skillfully outworked Nichols and won by unanimous decision when all three judges scored the fight 58-56.
Maintaining the momentum of the opening bouts in crowd-pleasing fashion, Albert “Baby Dynamite” Herrera (7-3-1, 5 KOs) locked horns with Aron “Asesino” Martinez (14-1-1, 3KOs) in an 8 round welterweight war that revealed the true heart and soul of boxing. The heated competition saw a controlling Herrera work artfully around the canvas by keeping Martinez at a distance and utilizing his combinations. However, the strategic Martinez found an opening and took control of the fight by using powerful right hooks toward the end of the fight. The violent exchanges and non-stop action had fans roaring and cheering after every stanza. As the last bell went off Aron Martinez had won the battle by split decision; Judges, Daniel Sandoval and Pat Connolly scored it for Martinez 77-75 and 77-74 leaving judge Vince Delgado scoring it 77-75 for Herrera.
In semi main event, undefeated Abraham Lopez squared off against Aaron Garcia in a scheduled eight round featherweight contest. With more back-and-forth action for fight fans to feast on, the two young prospects showed their hunger and grit to reign supreme by displaying equally matching amounts of energy throughout the entire fight. The bruising battle went to the judges who scored the bout a majority decision victory in favor of Lopez by scores 78-74 and 77-75; one judge had the fight even 76-76.
After the fight the undefeated Lopez said, “I had to press him hard at the end of the fight, my corner told me I was behind and I followed their instructions. This was a great fight and Garcia gave me fits in there but I worked hard for this victory and I learned a lot in the process.”
The main event of the evening featured an eight round junior welterweight contest with Thompson Boxing’s own Mauricio “El Maestro” Herrera (17-1, 7 KOs) facing off veteran warrior Cristian “Filoso” Favela (19-32-7, 10 KOs). Herrera successfully outworked Favela and won by unanimous decision as the judges scored the fight 80-72 twice and 79-73.
“Favela is the type of fighter that can make anybody look bad,” said Herrera, the IBF North American Jr. Welterweight champion, after the fight. “He has a streak of facing close to 20 top prospects and never been knocked out, so I realized he had a good defense and tried to get inside me at the end of each round, but I out boxed him. I needed the rounds and I got a clear victory.”
Of his future plans he said, “I’m ready for the top level, bring on the champions, the prospects or the veterans, it’s my time and I want to fight the best out there.”